Discuss the differences and similarities that compare theories on the development of the self from Charles Horton Cooley and George Herbert Mead. Be sure to discuss the "looking-glass self," the "I" and the "me," and the "generalized other" in your answer.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Varies, but should include definitions of terms: Cooley's looking-glass self: the idea that we develop self-image from how we think others see and respond to us. Parental interactions are earliest and so have the most important effects on formation of self-image. Mead's theory of the development of the self is that we have internal conversations with ourselves inside our minds using words. That internal conversation is related to our interactions in the world. The self develops over time, and we learn to treat the self as an object, meaning that we can step back and look at ourselves as others do. This goes through stages. First the play stage, which is being able to imagine what a specific other, such as mommy and daddy, thinks and take that into consideration. This expands to the game stage, when we can include other specific people with whom we have a relationship. Finally, we mature during game stage to a concept of the "generalized other," which is being able to look at oneself not just from specific people, but from an abstracted other person or group that is nonspecific. Cooley and Mead share a concern with the micro level (individual mind, self), and both prioritize the social/interaction in the formation of self. Mead's theory of self differs from Cooley in that it sees the self as made up of two parts: the "I" and the "me." The "I" is our immediate response, and is unconscious and somewhat unpredictable. The "me" is the part that internalizes the way behavior is seen by others and analyzes this through societal responsibilities.